Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-03-01

hams stables last fall, and VINO mao ma0e
two Intellectual attempts to escape. succeed
cd last night. On the two previous occa-
sions, it will be remembered, Baker, by the
manufacture from pieces OF wood and nails
Of several contriYances in the shape of keys,
succeeded in opening the prison doors and
gaining the yard, where, by the aid of lad
der made from strips of his bed clothing and
pieces of wood from an clubhouse, he pro-
ceeded to scale the wall, but on both occa.
sions was taken with vertigo and
fell back into the Enclosure. Last night,
however, it seems that the vertigo failed to
play its part, and Baker, by the use OF the
same means employed in his two attempted
escapes, succeeded, and is now at liberty.
Since the last endeavor on his part to gain
the outer world he had been kept IL one OF
the down. stairs iron cells which is locked
from the outside. There is q small aper-
,ure or wicket in the door of the cell
through which food and water are passed.
This opening, however, WAS some distance
above the lock, which was too far off
10 be reached by any human arm. The
thief, though, nothing daunted, by
attaching piece of u lath to one OF
his three keys" succeeded in in
setting the same into the lock aud opened
the cell door, He then walked into the
corridor, the door of which he foon opened
with another of his keys, and upon reaching
the door letting into the yard opened that
IS he had the others. Upon gaining the
yard by the aid of the Bladder, +" made from
strips of bed clothing and pieces OF wood
from which he descended to the ground
and made his escape. The manner
in which Baker worked himself out
OF his cell ADD over the wall was wonder
ml. The keys, as we'll as those used On
the two former occasions show ingenuity
in the manufacturer He left note thank
ing the jail authorities for kindness eX.
tended him while in their charge, and ex-
cupating them and any of his fellow prison
ers from completely with him. 4 reward
OF fifty dollars has been offered for his re-
capture. Baker is about 10 years old and it
il supposed By some that the man (pretend-
ing 10 be ietectve) who brought Mr..
Potler's stolen horse back some days ago,
and who visited Baker in his cell, in
soma manner aided in his escape. Had
Baker escaped the penalty of bis misde-
meanor here, requisition was awaiting
him from Delaware, where he is also want
ing for horse stealing.
He was TO have been tried here at the
February term Of the Corporation Court,
but when placed in the prisoners box swal-
lowed q piece of tobacco, which acting as
powerful emeic, as he intended it should,
the odor emauating from the room was soon
rendered as foul as the "steerage" of an At
isn;ic steamer during storm hence his
trial had to be postponed until the April
term
ANOTHER ENTERPRISES. The following is
the article published in the New York
Marine Journal OF Saturday last, mention OF
which was made in yesterday IS GAZETTE:
The Norton Naval Construction and
Ship Buildiug Company, of New York and
New Jersey, was Incorporated last summer TO
acquire the sole right and license to use and
operate within the limits of the States of
New York and New Jersey the invention
known as the Norton system of naval con-
struction, protected by letters patent OF the
United States The capital stock of the
company is $3.50 900 in shares of $50 each.
The trustees of the company recently exc
cuted an agreement with Captain Norton
which gives TO the company in addition to
thsir rights in the two above mentioned
States one.h half interest in all profits that
NAV be realized from the working of the
patent within the entire limits ofthe United
States The valuable grant has been secur
ed without increasing the capital stock or
sacrificing sny Gifts present working capt.
tai. Captain Norton proposes to open boat
aud yacht building works at Alexandria
early in the spring, when the construction
branch of the business will be rapidly de-
veloped.n
1t is understood that if this enterprise is
started here the property, or part at least,
of he Virginia Iron Shipbuildng Company
will be secured by the Norton company, on
q
locality could not have been secured, for the
ground is we'll situated for such purposes
and the water front is ell that could be de-
sired, extending as it does from Wilkes to
Duke streets two full squares) with depth
of water ranging from 10 to 80 feet REPRE-
sentatiyes of the Norton company recently
visited the premises and were much pleased
with the advantages they possessed. ne
Norton system OF construction 1t Is said
will be found Invaluable in its application
10 life ard ships boats, as it makes them
perfectly safe and reliable in use and affords
degree Of safety that cannot be secured by
any other form of construction. 1t is Claim
ed that boats so constructed cannot be cap
sized bv the sea, no matter how rough the
weather: they cannot be swamped By over
loading or by the carelessness OF their &C.
Cupants, nor By the breaking OF, or damage
10 their frames. All boats so constructed
ballast themselves automatically immedi
ately upon being lowered or launched into
the water. with weight of water ballast
proportionate to their displacement.
COUNTY CoURT-Judqe d. II. Chichester
presidiaG.-On motion of Attorney }. Il.
Clements letters of administration were
granted to Alonzo G. Hayes upon the estate
of John E. Chase, deceased, late of Alexan,
dra county. He qualified by giving bond
in the sum of $500.
Com. vs.. Dr. James Mackall two cases
one for assault aud the other for carrying
concealed weapons; continued for defend
ant until second day of next term of court.
Com. vs. Richard Simmons and Joseph
Lipscomb; continued for defendants until
first dey Of next term.
The Last will and testament of Charles